OpenSSH is OpenBSD's SSH (Secure Shell) protocol implementation. These
packages include the core files necessary for both the OpenSSH client and
server.

A Red Hat specific patch used in the openssh packages as shipped in Red
Hat Enterprise Linux 5.4 (RHSA-2009:1287) loosened certain ownership
requirements for directories used as arguments for the ChrootDirectory
configuration options. A malicious user that also has or previously had
non-chroot shell access to a system could possibly use this flaw to
escalate their privileges and run commands as any system user.
(CVE-2009-2904)

All OpenSSH users are advised to upgrade to these updated packages, which
contain a backported patch to resolve this issue. After installing this
update, the OpenSSH server daemon (sshd) will be restarted automatically.

4. Solution:

Before applying this update, make sure that all previously-released
errata relevant to your system have been applied.